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Find some of the best options for CNA classes in Massachusetts with our free resources and start today! See what makes the career great to get started fast. The job is popular with those at the start of their careers in healthcare due to the fact that it is one of the easiest allied health jobs in Massachusetts to enter.

How to become a CNA in Massachusetts

All certified nursing assistants in Massachusetts are overseen and regulated by the Massachusetts Department of Health. The Massachusetts Nurse Aide Registry is maintained by the MA Department of Public Health (DPH). Massachusetts Certified Nurse Aides are placed on the registry after meeting training and examination requirements.

Find the Best CNA Classes in Massachusetts Now

Fulfill all Necessary Requirements for CNA Programs in MA

Fulfill all the requirements below and you can enter approved CNA courses in Massachusetts.

Be at least 16 years old (some schools require at least 18 year old students)
Pass a designated English reading test and demonstrate ability to write in English
Proof of completing 9th grade of HS (Some schools require HS diploma/GED completion)
Pass physical health exam
Pass drug test
Show immunizations
Pass background check

Attend a CNA program approved by the state of Massachusetts

Massachusetts state guidelines require that all CNA courses are approved by the Massachusetts Department of Health. If any candidate wants to become a certified and licensed nurse aide in Massachusetts will have to pass training accredited by the MA Department of Health. Once they do pass approved training, they can take the certification examination.

Locate approved CNA training in MA

After one completes a Massachusetts Dept. of Health approved nurse aide program they are then allowed to test for a CNA certification. All programs approved by the MA Department of Health are listed below.
School NameAddressCityZip CodePhone
3 Dimensions - Worcester61 Harvard StreetWorcester01609(508) 799-9786
3 Dimensions Health Services - Dracut1934 Lakeview AvenueDracut01826(978) 735-4451
A Better Tomorrow Services Health Training153-B Main StreetEverett02149(617) 381-0300
AASTC Partnership/Life Care Attleboro100 Rathbun Willard DriveAttleboro02703(508) 222-5150
Academy for Healthcare Training388 Pleasant StreetMalden02148(617) 777-3644
Academy for Healthcare Training34 School StreetBrockton02301(617) 899-1832
Academy for Healthcare Training - CLC459 BroadwayCambridge02138(617) 777-3644
Action, Inc.180 Main StreetGloucester01930(978) 282-1000
Alternative Training Center703D Washington StreetAttleboro02703(508) 639-5901
Assabet After Dark215 Fitchburg StreetMarlborough01752(508) 263-9651
Assabet Valley Regional Vocational School215 Fitchburg StreetMarlborough01752(508) 485-9430
B. Sullivan Nurse Assistant Training School270 Communications WayHyannis02601(508) 827-7398
B.M.C. Durfee High School360 Elsbree StreetFall River02770(508) 675-8100
Barnstable High School744 West Main StreetHyannis02601(508) 790-6447
Bay Path Regional Vocational Tech High School57 Old Muggett Hill RoadCharlton01507(508) 248-5971
Bay Path Regional Vocational Tech High School - Adult Evening57 Old Muggett Hill RoadCharlton01507(508) 248-5971
Beaumont Rehab. & Skilled Nsg Ctr @ Northbridge85 Beaumont DriveNorthbridge01534(508) 234-4769
Berkshire Healthcare75 North StreetPittsfield01201(617) 448-2816
Berkshire Health Systems96 Valentine RoadPittsfield01201(413) 447-2123
Berkshire Health Systems @ Berskhire Community College1350 West StreetPittsfield01201(413) 447-2132
Blackstone Valley Regional Tech.65 Pleasant StreetUpton01568(508) 529-7758
Blue Hills Regional Technical High School800 Randolph StreetCanton02021(781) 828-5800
Boston Healthcare Institute, Inc.344 Talbot Avenue #201Dorchester02124(617) 756-6840
Bristol Community College2 Galleria Mall DriveTaunton02780(508) 678-2811
Bristol Community College - Day777 Elsbree StreetFall River02720(508) 678-2811
Bristol-Plymouth Reg. Voc. Tech. H.S.207 Hart StreetTaunton02780(508) 823-5151
Broad Reach Reh Skil Care CTR@Liberty Commons390 Orleans RoadNorth Chatham02650(508) 945-4611
Brockton Education Center for Adults243 Court StreetBrockton02302(508) 559-9089
Brockton High School470 Forest AvenueBrockton02301(508) 580-7665
Bunker Hill Community College70 Everett Avenue 3rd Floor #313Chelsea02150(617) 228-2473
C&S Healthcare Training & Staffing891 Hyde Park AvenueHyde Park02136(617) 272-3676
Cape Cod Community College/North BldgRoute 132W. Barnstable02668(774) 330-4489
Cape Cod Regional Tech High School - Day351 Pleasant Lake AvenueHarwich02645(508) 432-4500
Care One At Concord57 Old Road To Nine Acre CornerConcord01742(978) 844-7288
Care One At Lexington178 Lowell StreetLexington02420(781) 778-3600
Care One At Millbury312 Millbury AvenueMillbury01527(978) 844-7288
Care One At Weymouth64 Performance DriveWeymouth02189(978) 844-7288
Catholic Charities169 Court StreetBrockton02302(508) 587-0815
Chelsea Jewish Lifecare240 Lynnfield StreetPeabody10960(978) 471-5100
Coastal Career Academy288 Plymouth AvenueFall River02720(508) 998-0868
Coastal Career Academy26 South Water StreetNew Bedford02740(774) 627-0116
Dean Technical High School1045 Main StreetHolyoke01040(413) 534-2071
Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School251 Stonehaven RoadFall River02723(508) 678-2891
Edward M Kennedy Academy For Health Careers75 Malcolm X BoulevardBoston02120(617) 635-8450
Essex Technical High School565 Maple Street PO Box 346Hathorne01937(978) 762-0001
Everett High School100 Elm StreetEverett02149(617) 394-2490
Excel Training Institute4 Stony Hill RoadWilbraham01095(413) 583-2005
Excel Training Institute100 Wendell Avenue, Suite 1Pittsfield01201(413) 583-8900
First Choice Academy, Inc.187-A High StreetHolyoke01040(413) 998-3176
Focus Health Services227 Chelmsford StreetChelmsford01824(508) 345-9420
Focus Health Services599 Canal Street, 3rd FloorLawrence01840(978) 393-8389
Franklin County Technical School82 Industrial BoulevardTurner Falls01376(413) 863-9561
Gateway Healthcare Training & Services, LLC154 Merrimack StreetLowell01852(435) 764-0756
Genesis Healthcare - Apple Valley Center400 Groton RoadAyer01432(978) 989-2333
Genesis Healthcare-Apple Valley Center Blended Program (Online Classroom)400 Groton RoadAyer01432(978) 989-2333
Genesis Healthcare - Elaine Center20 North Maple StreetHadley01035(413) 584-5057
Genesis Healthcare - Heritage Hall North55 Cooper StreetAgawam01001(413) 786-8000
Genesis Healthcare - Keystone Center44 Keystone DriveLeominster01453(603) 223-3518
Genesis Healthcare - Milford Center10 Veterans Memorial DriveMilford01757(508) 473-6414
Genesis Healthcare @ Hawthorne Hill Center15 Kirkbridge DriveAndover01923(978) 247-5011
Genesis Healthcare @ Renaissance Manor279 Cabot StreetHolyoke01040(413)536-3435
Grafton Job Corps, Career Academy100 Pine StreetNorth Grafton01536(508) 887-7350
Greater Lawrence Technical School57 River RoadAndover01810(978) 686-0194
Greater Lowell Reg. Voc. Tech. School250 Pawtucket BoulevardTyngsboro01879(978) 454-5411
Greater New Bedford Reg. Voc. Tech. H.S.1121 Ashley BoulevardNew Bedford02745(508) 998-3321
Greenfield Community College270 Main StreetGreenfield01301(413) 775-1609
Hannah B G Shaw Home299 Wareham StreetMiddleboro02346(508) 947-0332
Haverhill High School137 Monument StreetHaverhill01832(978) 808-3494
Health & Home Care Training Center Of Mass591 North Avenue Door 4 2nd FloorWakefield01880(781) 222-5500
Health and Home Care Training of New England162 Main StreetBrockton02301(508) 846-2387
Health and Home Care Training of New England657 Quarry Street 2nd FloorFall River02720(508) 672-6800
Healthcare Training Centers of America, Inc.170 Main Street Suite G11Tewksbury01876(978) 996-6758
Holyoke Community College - Integrated English Literacy & Civics Education206 Maple StreetHolyoke01040(413) 552-2506
Holyoke Community College Hlth & Natural Scie404 Jarvis AvenueHolyoke01040(413) 552-2467
Holyoke Community College - Training Workforce Options (TWO) Program303 Homestead AvenueHolyoke01040(413) 552-2316
Holyoke Community College - Quaboag Regional Public High School284 Old West Brookfield RoadWarren01083(413) 538-7000
Holyoke Community College - Ware High School237 West StreetWare01082(413) 552-2506
Holyoke Community College - Westfield High School177 Montgomery RoadWestfield01085(413) 552-2506
Home Health Care Connection110 Haverhill Road Suite 378Amesbury01913(978) 660-6916
Horizon Learning Connection1601 Blue Hill Avenue #205Mattapan02126(617) 296-2700
International Health Care Training & Services2 Second StreetAttleboro02703(508) 222-8710
Jodamax LLC1106 Main Street, Suite 201Brockton02301(774) 776-0288
Joseph P. Keefe Technical High School -Day750 Winter StreetFramingham01702(508) 879-5400
Joseph P. Keefe Technical High School -Evening750 Winter StreetFramingham01702(508) 416-2170
K & K Healthcare Training Center471 Prospect StreetBrockton02301(508) 584-2805
Kittredge Center/Holyoke Community College303 Homestead AvenueHolyoke01040(413) 552-2496
Laboure Center Catholic Charities275 West BroadwaySouth Boston02127(617) 464-8554
Laboure College303 Adams StreetMilton02186(617) 322-3528
Leominster High School122 Granite StreetLeominster01453(978) 534-7735
Life Care Center of Plymouth94 Obery StreetPlymouth02360(508) 741-9800
Lifestream Employment & Training Services174 Union Street 3rd FloorNew Bedford02740(508) 991-4503
Lower Pioneer Valley Career & Tech. Education174 Brush Hill AvenueW. Springfield01089(413) 735-6336
Lynn Vocational Technical Institute80 Neptune BoulevardLynn01902(781) 477-7420
Madison Park High School75 Malcolm X BoulevardRoxbury02120(617) 635-8970
Madison Park Tech Voc High School Dept of Adult Ed75 Malcolm X BoulevardBoston02120(617) 592-5693
Martha's Vineyard Regional High School100 Edgartown RoadOak Bluffs02557(508) 693-1033
Mass Bay Community College19 Flagg DriveFramingham01702(508) 270-5928
Mass Bay Community College - Bridge19 Flagg DriveFramingham01702(508) 270-4045
Medford Vocational Technical High School489 Winthrop StreetMedford02155(781) 393-2260
Medical Career Center, Inc. -Waltham267 Moody Street Suite 205Waltham02453(781) 894-2515
Medical Career Center-Lynn150 Market Street, 2nd FloorLynn01902(781) 856-1119
Metrowest Healthcare Academy100 Concord Street 2nd Floor 2AFramingham01702(508) 872-5973
Metrowest Healthcare Academy208 Main Street, Suite 112Milford01757(508) 872-5973
Middlesex Community College Evening33 Kearney SquareLowell01852(978) 656-3416
Middlesex Community College for Credit Day33 Kearney Square Talbot BuildingLowell01852(978) 656-3443
Middlesex D'Youville Nursing Assistant - Evening981 Varnum AvenueLowell01854(978) 656-3040
Middlesex D'Youville Nursing Assistant - Day981 Varnum AvenueLowell01854(978) 656-3040
Minuteman Regional High School758 Marrett RoadLexington02421(781) 861-6500
Minuteman Regional Vocational Tech School - Evening758 Marrett RoadLexington02421(781) 861-7150
Montachusett Regional Voc. Tech. School - Adult1050 Westminster StreetFitchburg01420(978) 345-9200
Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical High School1050 Westminster StreetFitchburg01420(978) 345-9200
Mount Wachusett Community College - Project Healthcare140 Arn How Farm RoadFitchburg01420(978) 630-9543
Mount Wachusett Community College - Devens27 Jackson RoadDevens01434(978) 630-9242
Mount Wachusett Community College Nursing Dept.444 Green StreetGardner01440(978) 632-6600
N. Shore Com. College @ Hunt Nsg. & Rehab. Ctr.90 Lindall StreetDanvers01923(978) 236-1235
N. Shore Com. College NAT-Danvers Camp1 Ferncroft RoadDanvers01923(978) 236-1235
Nashoba Valley Technical High School - Day100 Littleton RoadWestford01886(978) 692-4711
New Bedford High School230 Hathaway BoulevardNew Bedford02745(508) 997-4511
New England Institute Of Health Sciences280 Merrimack StreetLawrence01843(781) 927-4841
North High School140 Harrington WayWorcester01604(508) 799-3370
North Quincy High School Careers & Technology316 Hancock StreetQuincy02170(617) 984-6632
North Shore Community College - EveningOne Ferncroft Road #117Danvers01923(978) 762-4000
North Shore Community College - Lynn Campus - Day300 Broad StreetLynn01901(978) 236-1235
North Shore Community College - Lynn Campus - Evening300 Broad StreetLynn01901(978) 236-1235
North Shore Community College At Salem Hospital81 Highland AvenueSalem01970(978) 236-1235
Northeast Metropolitan Reg. Vocational School100 Hemlock RoadWakefield01880(781) 246-0810
Northern Essex Community College - Center For Corporate & Community Education45 Franklin StreetLawrence01840(978) 556-3863
Notre Dame Education Center354 Merrimack Street Building 1 Suite #210Lawrence01843(978) 682-6441
Old Colony Regional Voc. Tech. High School476 North AvenueRochester02770(508) 763-8011
Pathfinder Reg Voc Tech High School240 Sykes StreetPalmer01069(413) 283-9701
Peak Medical Academy38 Front Street, 2nd FloorWorcester01608(774) 670-9957
Plymouth North High School41 Obery StreetPlymouth02360(508) 830-4400
Professional Care Academy270 Main StreetAgawam01001(413) 391-7926
Quabbin Valley Health Care821 Daniel Shays HighwayAthol01331(978) 249-3717
Quincy High School100 Coddington StreetQuincy02169(617) 984-8934
Quinsigamond Community College Training & Education Center25 Federal StreetWorcester01608(508) 854-2716
Quinsigamond Community College-Southbridge5 Optical DriveSouthbridge01550(508) 751-7921
Regis College - Blended235 Wellesley StreetWeston02493(781) 768-7291
Restoration Health Institute617 Mill StreetWorcester01602(508) 304-0052
Rindge School of Technical Arts459 BroadwayCambridge02139(617) 349-6751
Rockland Regional Adult Learning Center (RRALC)52 Mackinlay WayRockland02370(781) 974-9969
Roger L. Putnam Voc Tech Academy1300 State StreetSpringfield01109(413) 787-7424
Royal Cape Cod Nursing & Rehabilitation Center8 Lewis Point RoadBuzzards Bay02532(508) 759-5752
Royal Megansett Nursing & Retirement Home209 County RoadNorth Falmouth02556(508) 563-5913
Shawsheen Valley Technical High School-Day100 Cook StreetBillerica01821(978) 667-2111
Shriver Job Corps Center270 Jackson RoadDevens01434(978) 784-2600
Silver Lake Regional High School260 Pembroke StreetKingston02364(781) 582-3502
Smith Vocational And Agricultural High School - Adult80 Locust StreetNorthampton01060(413) 587-1414
Smith Vocational High School80 Locust StreetNorthampton01060(413) 587-1414
Somerville High School81 Highland AvenueSomerville02143(617) 625-6600
South Cove Manor Nursing & Rehabilitation Home288 Washington StreetQuincy02169(617) 423-0590
South Shore Voc Tech High School476 Webster StreetHanover02339(781) 878-8822
Southeastern Regional Voc. Tech. School250 Foundry StreetSouth Easton02375(508) 238-4371
Spectrum Healthcare Training Center . Inc.330 Lynnway Suite 112Lynn01901(877) 585-0855
Spectrum Healthcare Training Center, Inc.147 East Merrimack StreetLowell01852(978) 454-4600
Springfield Technical Community CollegeOne Armory SquareSpringfield01105(413) 755-4225
St. Patrick's Manor863 Central StreetFramingham01701(508) 879-8000
Taconic Vocational Technical High School96 Valentine RoadPittsfield01201(413) 499-9599
Tantasqua Regional High School319 Brookfield RoadFiskdale01518(508) 347-3045
Tewksbury Memorial High School320 Pleasant StreetTewksbury01876(978) 640-7825
The Fieldstone School90 Madison Street Suite 200Worcester01608(508) 752-0778
The Fieldstone School76 Summer Street #025Fitchburg01420(508) 752-0778
Timberlyn East Nursing Center148 Maple AvenueGreat Barrington01230(413) 528-3320
Tri-County Reg. Voc. Tech. High School - Day147 Pond StreetFranklin02038(508) 528-5400
Tri-County Reg. Voc. Tech. High School - Evening147 Pond StreetFranklin02038(603) 446-7590
Universal Health Care Center27 Hunting StreetMalden02148(617) 571-4807
Upper Cape Cod Regional Vo-Tech School - Day220 Sandwich RoadBourne02532(508) 759-7711
Upper Cape Tech/Adult - Day/Evening220 Sandwich RoadBourne02532(508) 759-7711
Westfield Technical Academy33 Smith AvenueWestfield01085(413) 572-6533
Westover Job Corps Center103 Johnson RoadChicopee01022(413) 593-5731
Weymouth High School Allied Health - DayOne Wildcat WayWeymouth02190(781) 337-7500
Whittier Reg. Voc. Tech High School - Evening115 Amesbury Line RoadHaverhill01830(978) 373-4101
Whittier Regional Voc. Tech. H.S. - Day115 Amesbury Line RoadHaverhill01830(978) 373-4101
Winchester Hospital Center for Healthy Living200 Unicorn Park Drive #401Woburn01801(781) 756-4709
Windemere Nsg. & Rehab CenterOne Hospital Road PO Box 1747Oak Bluffs02557(508) 862-1953
Worcester Technical High School1 Skyline DriveWorcester01605(508) 799-1965
Youth & Family Enrichment Services1234 Hyde Park Avenue Suite 104Hyde Park02136(617) 455-7309

Meet individual training requirement for Massachusetts

To move forward with the certification process, the State of Massachusetts requires that would-be nursing assistants finish a total of 75 hours in the classroom and 16 hours in a clinical setting.

You aren’t considered eligible to take the state’s certification exam (the Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation (NACE)) without having satisfied this prerequisite. For more detailed info see the Massachusetts Nurse Aide State Testing Candidate Information Guide from the Red Cross.

Pass the Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation (NACE)

In Massachusetts, you are required to pass a nationally-recognized examination for CNA certification – the Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation (NACE). The test asks students to complete a section containing written problems, as well as a clinical demonstration.

The American Red Cross (ARC) is the national examination provider that gives the test for future nurse aides in the state. Regular monthly evaluation sites in Massachusetts are usually in the towns and cities noted here. To see when the upcoming test times are at each location, please get in touch with the service directly.

It costs $93 to for the written and clinical tests. The cost is $103 if the oral version of the test is needed.

Get on the Massachusetts Nurse Aide Registry

The final step in the process of becoming a CNA in Massachusetts is ensuring that your name gets recorded on the ARC/Massachusetts Nurse Aide Program. Maintained by the MA Department of Public Health (DPH) and the American Red Cross, this is a record of all of the certified nursing assistants that are allowed for employment in the state. Unless your name is on this checklist, you won’t be eligible for employment. This process is typically taken care of for you, though.

Once you’ve passed the Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation (NACE), the exam company will notify the registry of your new status. In the majority of situations, your wait time to complete this procedure in Massachusetts is just a couple of weeks at the latest.

ARC/Massachusetts Nurse Aide Program
Reciprocity Program
85 Lowell Street
Peabody, MA 01960

MA Dept. of Health
Nurse Aide Registry Program
67 Forest St. Marlborough, MA 01752 Telephone: (617) 753-8144

CNA jobs and salary in Massachusetts

The 10% growth in new job opportunities for nursing assistants in Massachusetts brings us in to a very exciting future for nursing assisting. To view wage data for Massachusetts nursing assistants, please check out the table below.
LocationPay TypeLowMedianHigh
United StatesHourly$9.64$12.78$18.22
Yearly$20,040$26,590$37,900
MassachusettsHourly$11.43$14.31$18.98
Yearly$23,770$29,770$39,470
Nantucket Island and Martha's VineyardHourly$13.22$17.63$23.84
Yearly$27,500$36,680$49,600
Taunton-Norton-Raynham, MAHourly$12.58$15.73$18.69
Yearly$26,160$32,720$38,870
Brockton-Bridgewater-Easton, MAHourly$12.32$15.26$20.97
Yearly$25,630$31,750$43,620
Peabody, MAHourly$12.40$14.71$18.79
Yearly$25,800$30,590$39,080
Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MAHourly$11.84$14.60$19.58
Yearly$24,620$30,370$40,730
Haverhill-North Andover-Amesbury, MA-NHHourly$12.03$14.47$19.18
Yearly$25,020$30,090$39,900
Pittsfield, MAHourly$11.62$14.47$19.77
Yearly$24,170$30,090$41,110
Lawrence-Methuen-Salem, MA-NHHourly$12.40$14.32$18.25
Yearly$25,800$29,780$37,960
Barnstable Town, MAHourly$11.67$14.25$21.93
Yearly$24,270$29,630$45,610
Framingham, MAHourly$11.53$14.23$19.12
Yearly$23,970$29,610$39,760
Worcester, MA-CTHourly$11.76$14.21$18.21
Yearly$24,460$29,560$37,880
Leominster-Fitchburg-Gardner, MAHourly$11.19$14.18$18.59
Yearly$23,270$29,500$38,670
Northwest MassachusettsHourly$12.72$14.17$16.62
Yearly$26,450$29,480$34,560
Springfield, MA-CTHourly$11.06$14.13$18.68
Yearly$23,000$29,390$38,850
Nashua, NH-MAHourly$10.97$13.99$19.94
Yearly$22,810$29,110$41,480
Lowell-Billerica-Chelmsford, MA-NHHourly$10.61$13.83$18.34
Yearly$22,080$28,770$38,160
Providence-Fall River-Warwick, RI-MAHourly$10.72$13.76$18.62
Yearly$22,300$28,610$38,740
New Bedford, MAHourly$10.13$13.02$17.40
Yearly$21,070$27,090$36,200